LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

Slotz · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Hi, I feel a bit of a fraud posting on a speed skater forum but I would really appreciate a bit of advice.

My wife has just entered the Beriln Marathon (running) this September and for reasons that elude me now I registered for the inline version the day before. I have been skating for a few years, a bit of hockey here and there and a few miles around hyde park when the weather's good so I bought myself a new pair of Cross Max 3's and started putting some miles in around the Stevenage cycle lanes. I've been getting on fine and even managed to complete the half-marathon at the Lee Valley last Sunday (fantastic day). What I have learnt so far - in line with a couple of posts I've read here, is that my FSK's are going to be hard work in a full marathon.

What I would like to do is get a better suited pair of skates. I don't think I will be entering lots of marathons so I am really after a reasonable pair of previously owned ones that won't break the bank. I wondered if any of you guys know where I could find second hand skates for sale or if you have any for sale (UK 9.5). Ebay is pretty useless and I can't find any magazines that carry them.

Any advice would be brilliant.

Cheers Confused

Hans · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:48 am Subject:

Hi slots,

Great to know you were at the marathon over the weekend. The good news first, compared to Lee Valley Berlin is as flat as a pancake.

You are right if you are aiming for a competitive time then you might need to get some speed boots, but on the other hand if you want to savour the atmosphere and have a good level of fitness, you probably will be fine in your Cross Max.
Last year NashaP did the marathon in just over 2 hours her Dee Max so don’t get too stressed.

I have a pair of second hand boots but they probably will not fit you as they are a size 9.

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4106

It's all in the engine - technique and fitness, but mostly technique. You'll get a far better return if you spend time working on technique, and there's a bunch of sessions you're welcome to come along at and that are free in Hyde Park.

Tonight - 19.00 at the beach, long slow skate, technique intervals.
Sunday 26th, free learn to skate faster session, meeting at 12.00 at the Albert Memorial.

I know quite a few skaters who on Crossmax FSKs can beat all but perhaps the top 10% of skaters in Berlin. And that's with no formal fitness training.

peterc · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1284 Location: M3 somewhere

If you have narrow feet my old Bonts may suit you. They came from Rick orignally who has bigger feet than me.

Slotz · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Wow cheers for the information I will definitely try and get to the skate sessions at Hyde Park - weather, wife and six-year-old permitting. I do need to work on the technique - the leading pack on Sunday just sailed past me without any effort and it seemed they were doing one stroke to three or four of mine.

Would a longer frame make much difference, I understand they are more stable, I was getting speed wobble down the first slope at Lee Valley, but do you get a better return for your efforts?

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4106

Oh yes, skates will make a difference for sure, but I'd hold off a bit. Come and join some of our sessions and there's sure to be a team member who's skates you can try. You're welcome to try my bonts if I have a spare half hour somewhere, I'm a UK size 9-ish.

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2428

Slotz · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks for all the advice, I have managed to find a marathon training schedule on the internet and I will be putting in some miles around Stevenage. Hyde Park is quite a bit of mucking around to get to, but I will try to get down for a few sessions before I invest in better skates.

Cheers again.